Peter McVerry Trust, the national housing and homeless charity, greatly welcomes the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing’s report recommending a tax on vacant homes.

The Government plans to introduce a vacant property tax in Budget 2023 which could impact on an estimated 137,000 properties. A commitment to bring in such a tax was given in the Housing for All plan, published last September.

Peter McVerry Trust strongly believe an empty homes tax will encourage landlords to renovate or sell their vacant property and will result in an increased number of homes to rent, to buy and to be used for social housing.

Pat Doyle, CEO of Peter McVerry Trust said, “Since 2016 Peter McVerry Trust has been advocating for the introduction of a vacant property tax – this recommendation is an important step forward for the housing sector in this country.”

“Various incentives introduced over the past number of years to tackle the issue have not resulted in significant numbers of vacant homes being reused.”

“This tax is not about raising revenue, but rather about creating more social housing, improving communities and lessening carbon outputs by re-using existing stock.”

“Research conducted by our charity in 2017 found that 62% of the Irish public were in favour of a tax on empty homes – signalling the recognition of the far-reaching benefits of such a tax for Irish society. A tax on vacant homes is the final piece of the jigsaw for unlocking these properties to provide more social housing across Ireland.”